Jim Lampley Launches Shot at Broner-Malignaggi Promotion

On the June 30 edition of Jim Lampley's "The Fight Game" on HBO, boxing's most seasoned voice closed with a Keith Olbermann-esque commentary which took rival Showtime to task.

"Now to add our two cents to the story that gave boxing fodder to TMZ and its imitators these past few weeks. The Brooklyn battle between Paulie Malignaggi and Adrien Broner was a pretty good fight, made entertaining by Malignaggi's spirited effort to defend his title and the chance to see how Broner would fare in his twelve pound jump from lightweight to welterweight. But hard as we tried to see the humor and intrigue in the tabloid style buildup to the event, the relentless back and forth about which fighter was now sharing sexual calisthenics with someone named Jessica and what that meant to them, we just couldn't manage it. An excerpt from the sometimes erudite sports website Grantland says it plainly:

'As the promotion for his fight against Paulie Malignaggi revved itself up, Broner's public personna kept getting dumber..... Just know both fighters found it appropriate to promote a fight with claims of domestic violence and sexual degradation, and the networks and promotional companies that tacitly condoned it should be ashamed.'

"Fight promotions are by nature theatrical. But in every such enterprise there is a tipping point, and it's my opinion we saw it last week. It's a given that fighters in the heat of developing conflict with each other might go off the rails from time to time. It isn't necessarily equally inevitable that the media and promotional culture surrounding the sport must go right off the rails with them. Some things can and should be usefully ignored in favor of the real grist of the fight game. Did Broner's power travel effectively up to the new weight class? Did Malignaggi really come close enough to merit consideration for a rematch? Those are the primary questions emerging from last Saturday night in Brooklyn, not which of the two winds up dealing with an obviously misguided young woman who wanted and got her fifteen minutes of fame."

The show did a good job of mixing journalistic depth, as when Lampley grilled Andre Ward on his attempt to sever promotional ties with longtime promoter Dan Goossen, and spirited opinion, as when Lampley brought on Max Kellerman to debate their respective pound for pound lists. And it ended on a surprisingly direct, and somewhat controversial, note. Readers, check out the episode when you get a chance and weigh in, in our Forum to share your thoughts on Lampley's message.

Wow! J-Lamp came hard. But righteously! That sideshow of Broner and Paulie about "Jessica" was no doubt TMZ and made for tabloid TV. But I'm down with O-P-P! You know me!

HBO has Showtime, GBP and "The Shadow" on the rating ropes. So it shouldn't be any surprises about their tricks of the trade. They are in need of fast money and high rating, so they just came with tabloid reality-show garbage.

The rising of Asia's billion-dollar matches and world-wide through-the-roof ratings have caused chaotic scambling for the Three Stooges -- I mean Showtime, GBP and The Shadow. HBO's sliding and riding into the Asia market is making Showtime, GBP and The Shadow look like abject poverty cases.

Get use to it, haters! It is all about da gold in China is strong, not the lies-and-mythology song. The U.S. Government is fooling your arses for how long? On the world market, that U.S. currency cannot hold on. Holla!

Raiders says:

1.5 million 1.3 million

Those are the ratings of Broner's two fights, the first fight was on HBO and will most likely be the biggest rating of the year. Canelo-Trout got 1.3, Rigo-Donaire got 1.2, Martinez-Murray got 860,000, Judah-Garcia got 650,000 and Mikey and JuanMa got 1.3. This is a bitter company man attacking a rival networks number 1 asset. If the fight had been on HBO he wouldn't have made this garbage commentary.

By the way Top Rank is only going to have one card on HBO between April 13th and September 7th and the September card will have Vera in the main event, Top Rank isn't touching Golden Boy, they can't even get their China shows on real HBO.

brownsugar says:

I have to disagree with that statemen RG although I do respect your position.... Espinoza and company won't have to visit the soup-line any time soon..GBP's stable is too deep... If China's global product pirating practices haven't totally wrecked the economy, neither will the yen being spent by Chinese consumers have any discernible effect on GBP's business. I mean.. ..who. except the Chinese really wants to watch the ultra-raw stylings of Zhou Shimming anytime soon? This kid is no GGG in the making.

Lampley was spot on and I'm glad he put it out there. Watching Paulie shrieking and squealing like a woman scorned...while spewing his estrogen laden discourse across the airwaves was uncomfortable to watch..... Furthermore if Paulie's head wasn't being snapped back violently and repeatedly.....he could have had a legitimate argument about the scoring..... Similarly....Broner's performance seemed to be overshadowed (no pun intended) by the added pressure caused by the remarks aimed at Paulies former sidepiece and the Newyorkers' subsequent scathing retorts which caused Broner to embrace a false bravado.

Besides..the unspoken rule of all those who would become great entertainers... "Keep your personal business private". Discussing your opponents sloppy seconds would be too embarrassing for 99% of the population for a variety of reasons.... leave those discussions on The Family Guy or Mafia Wives...HBO and Showtime would also do well to censor the classless ring entrances which include the "N" word and lyrics about devouring male genitalia while sliding down from ropes on the ceiling.. while I'm at it..can they also put a muzzle on Jack "double jab" Lowe? He makes Roger Mayweather sound like a boyscout. Max Kelerman talks about responsible defense. How about responsible programming values.

Raiders says:

I have to disagree with that statemen RG although I do respect your position.... Espinoza and company won't have to visit the soup-line any time soon..GBP's stable is too deep... If China's global product pirating practices haven't totally wrecked the economy, neither will the yen being spent by Chinese consumers have any discernible effect on GBP's business. I mean.. ..who. except the Chinese really wants to watch the ultra-raw stylings of Zhou Shimming anytime soon? This kid is no GGG in the making.

Lampley was spot on and I'm glad he put it out there. Watching Paulie shrieking and squealing like a woman scorned...while spewing his estrogen laden discourse across the airwaves was uncomfortable to watch..... Furthermore if Paulie's head wasn't being snapped back violently and repeatedly.....he could have had a legitimate argument about the scoring..... Similarly....Broner's performance seemed to be overshadowed (no pun intended) by the added pressure caused by the remarks aimed at Paulies former sidepiece and the Newyorkers' subsequent scathing retorts which caused Broner to embrace a false bravado.

Besides..the unspoken rule of all those who would become great entertainers... "Keep your personal business private". Discussing your opponents sloppy seconds would be too embarrassing for 99% of the population for a variety of reasons.... leave those discussions on The Family Guy or Mafia Wives...HBO and Showtime would also do well to censor the classless ring entrances which include the "N" word and lyrics about devouring male genitalia while sliding down from ropes on the ceiling.. while I'm at it..can they also put a muzzle on Jack "double jab" Lowe? He makes Roger Mayweather sound like a boyscout. Max Kelerman talks about responsible defense. How about responsible programming values.

You know this made me think of how Jim never complained about Broner calling himself the N-word while rapping himself to the ring but now he has morals. Great post.

The Yen is Japanese, not Chinese. Don't get caught up on Zou Chi Ming. Asian is rolling. The GREAT FIGHTS are moving Asia way. Showtime, GPB and "The Shadow" know what time it is.

My friend, they are already in the "soup line" of global whup arse. They are working magic, and that is an American tragic. Opticial illusions only work only those who don't know the true conclusions.

Showtime, GPB and The Shadow already got caught cooking the books of the PPVs of Money May-The Cali [Holy] Ghost. they didn't do a mil. And Canelo-Money May will not do two mil. Maybe 1.5 mil. And forget about Hulkquez-Buffet Bradley. They won't do 200,000 PPVs. And that is the only bad that will happen to Top Rank and the BobFather this year. "A Change is a Coming" no more. It is here! And Asian TIME DEAR! We luv America. That is why we are buying up syet. Including boxing. Even WBC is sueing to halt ABP move.

B-Sug, the rest of the boksing year is going to be "deaky daw!" Holla!

Raiders says:

Canelo-Floyd already did 18 million at the gate plus 4 million for the closed circuit rights, 22 million before a ppv is sold and international rights, the fight should do 80 million after the cable company takes their huge cut. Having 1 fight on HBO in 5 months shows how bad Bob's roster is, he has a world class fighter like Vanes and he's fighting on internet streams.

Radam G says:

Somebody please get on your count for that raider. There is absolutely no boxing gate, football, basketball or any sport's gate doing 18mil peeps. I think the guy means 18thou -- a great distinction. Wow! Poor guy is imagining jive. Or maybe he is just trying to sneak a lie by on da fly.

There will not be a huge world-wide international audience for the bout between Canelo and Money May. In the Americas, it will do great, and fair in Western Europe, Australia and Abu Dhabi. In Africa -- other than South Africa -- it won't even make a buzz.

Neither one of these fighters is well boxing travelled over da pond or Pacific. Especially where it counts -- in Asia. You'd be surprised of how many people never heard of Canelo or Money May even in Hawaii. Boxing fan know. But the average Joe and pretty Judy don't know syet about a boxer and don't care. They have only heard of GOAT Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson and Da Manny. Don't hate, because you cannot relate. Grab a Plate. One with commonsense and knowledge on slate.

Someone and dey sidekick help the dude out. The PPVs of this fight will not break 1.5 mil, less alone four mil. And somebody tell that raider dude how the game works. He is vastly confused about PPVs, closed circuit and cable companies.

C'mon, MAN! You have to be truthful HERE in this Universe. OOPS! I got it! You are being facetious, and down with O-P-P! Hahaha! Holla!

Raiders says:

Somebody please get on your count for that raider. There is absolutely no boxing gate, football, basketball or any sport's gate doing 18mil peeps. I think the guy means 18thou -- a great distinction. Wow! Poor guy is imagining jive. Or maybe he is just trying to sneak a lie by on da fly.

There will not be a huge world-wide international audience for the bout between Canelo and Money May. In the Americas, it will do great, and fair in Western Europe, Australia and Abu Dhabi. In Africa -- other than South Africa -- it won't even make a buzz.

Neither one of these fighters is well boxing travelled over da pond or Pacific. Especially where it counts -- in Asia. You'd be surprised of how many people never heard of Canelo or Money May even in Hawaii. Boxing fan know. But the average Joe and pretty Judy don't know syet about a boxer and don't care. They have only heard of GOAT Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson and Da Manny. Don't hate, because you cannot relate. Grab a Plate. One with commonsense and knowledge on slate.

Someone and dey sidekick help the dude out. The PPVs of this fight will not break 1.5 mil, less alone four mil. And somebody tell that raider dude how the game works. He is vastly confused about PPVs, closed circuit and cable companies.

C'mon, MAN! You have to be truthful HERE in this Universe. OOPS! I got it! You are being facetious, and down with O-P-P! Hahaha! Holla!

Do means make, I'm going to laugh when Floyd makes 55 million and your boy Manny Flops in China, Manny did 700,000 vs Clottey he's no ppv king. You are the one who is confused or lying about Asia, Bob says he'll sell the ppv in China a 5 dollars a pop, it will have to sale 20 million buys to get what Canelo vs Floyd will make Bob is losing and the rosters reflect that.